Iran holds funeral for top commanders killed in 12-day war with Israel

Iran recently held a funeral to honor the top military commanders and nuclear scientists who lost their lives during the country’s 12-day war with Israel. Among those mourned were Gen. Hossein Salami, the chief of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), and Gen. Amir Ali Hajizadeh, the head of the IRGC’s ballistic missile program.

The funeral procession, which took place in Tehran, saw attendees lining the streets and chanting slogans such as “Death to America” and “Death to Israel.” The caskets of the deceased were draped in Iranian flags and adorned with photos as they were carried through the city in large trucks. The turnout at the funeral signaled a deep sense of mourning and solidarity among the Iranian people for their fallen leaders.

Notably absent from the funeral was Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who has not made a public appearance since going into hiding. However, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and other senior figures were in attendance to pay their respects.

Since the end of the war with Israel, Iran has reportedly intensified its internal security crackdown. There have been reports of mass arrests and even executions of individuals accused of espionage on behalf of Israel. The regime has been accused of trumping up charges to spread terror among the Iranian population.

The Foundation for Defense of Democracies (FDD) Senior Iran and Financial Economics Advisor Saeed Ghasseminejad commented on the situation, stating that Israel’s Operation Rising Lion has exposed the weakness of the Iranian regime and helped the public realize its vulnerabilities.

Reports from the Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA) and Fars News Agency indicate that hundreds of individuals have been arrested on political or security-related charges in Iran. Additionally, there are concerns that individuals on death row for alleged spying for Israel are at risk of execution.

The nonprofit organization Iran Human Rights (IHR) has warned that at least six individuals are facing the death penalty for similar charges, with nine executions already carried out this year. The crackdown on internal security in Iran following the war with Israel has raised concerns about human rights violations and the suppression of dissent within the country.